Centre Takes Action to Address Soaring Tomato Prices, Offers Relief to Consumers

The Centre has taken decisive action in response to the alarming surge in tomato prices across the country, introducing measures to alleviate the burden on consumers. In response to this pressing issue, the consumer affairs ministry has instructed cooperatives, such as Nafed and NCCF, to acquire tomatoes from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. The aim is to distribute these tomatoes to major consumption centers and address the prevailing situation.

To combat the exorbitant prices, the ministry plans to offer the procured tomatoes at discounted rates through retail outlets in the Delhi-NCR region. This particular area has been grappling with persistently high prices, with rates consistently surpassing Rs 100 per kilogram for an extended period.

The task of tomato procurement has been entrusted to the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF). In determining the distribution locations, the ministry has identified cities with a substantial increase in retail prices over the past month, exceeding the national average.

Furthermore, key consumption centers in states with a significant concentration of these identified areas have been selected for intervention, ensuring a comprehensive approach to address the issue.

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The ministry acknowledges that the months of July-August and October-November typically experience a decline in tomato production. The monsoon season in July presents additional challenges in terms of distribution and increased transit losses, which further contribute to the price surge.

Currently, the majority of tomato supplies in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and other states are sourced from Maharashtra, particularly from regions such as Satara, Narayangaon, and Nashik. These supplies are expected to last until the end of the month. Madanapalle in Andhra Pradesh has also witnessed consistent arrivals of tomatoes in reasonable quantities. In the Delhi-NCR region, the majority of arrivals come from Himachal Pradesh, with a smaller quantity originating from Kolar in Karnataka. The ministry anticipates new crop arrivals from the Nashik district in the near future.

Additionally, an increase in tomato supply is expected in August from the Narayangaon and Aurangabad belt. Arrivals from Madhya Pradesh are also anticipated to commence, providing further relief to the market and potentially leading to a decrease in prices.

The surge in tomato prices has reached staggering heights, with rates exceeding Rs 200 per kilogram in some parts of the country, including Delhi. This unfortunate situation has also impacted the prices of other vegetables, causing concerns among consumers.

According to data compiled by the ministry, the average retail price of tomatoes in India stood at Rs 104.38 per kilogram on Monday. The highest price reported was Rs 200 per kilogram in Swai Madhopur, while the lowest was Rs 31 per kilogram in Churu, Rajasthan.

With the implementation of these measures and the expected arrival of fresh tomato supplies, the ministry is optimistic about stabilizing prices in the near future. This will undoubtedly provide much-needed relief to consumers burdened by the escalating costs of tomatoes and contribute to a more balanced market.

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